REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Sad news came when Republika was preparing to hold mass Iftar (Bukber) for 1,000 orphans in the office yard afternoon. Senior journalist of Republika, Taufikurrahman Bachdari, breathed his last on Saturday (25/6), at 14.00 pm.
"Mas Tar known as a diligent and intelligent journalist. I've been with him since his coverage in the Ministry of Home Affairs in 1993," said Director of Operations Republika Media Mandiri Arys Hilman Nugraha when attending the funeral in Cikarang, West Java, on Saturday night.
"The deceased is a person who's smiling and sociable," he said. "May God give you the best places, Mas Tar."
Opa Tar, thus the nickname of the deceased among the editorial Republika Online, died at age 54 years. A fan of chicken soup, he had experienced the symptoms of a heart attack on Thursday (23/6). However, Opa Tar still took time to attend an Iftar on Friday (24/6) night before being taken to hospital as a result of a second heart attack on Saturday (25/6).
According to the narrative of the family, Opa Tar still looked fine and even asked to eat porridge on Saturday, at 12.00 pm. After that, the condition of Yogyakarta's Gadjah Mada University (UGM) alumnus continued to decline before finally breathed his last.
No one believed the news of his death who during his life was known as expert journalist with deep understanding for national politics, especially associated with the regional autonomy.
"I am shocked and really sad, so I remember the last kidding at Opa Tar, no one will accompany me on night shift any more," said Bayu Hermawan, an editor of Republika.co.id. "Innalillahi ... I hope Opa Tar to have a good end (khusnul khatimah). I feel like a dream," Andi Nur Aminah, senior journalist of Republika said.
Funeral prayer was performed to the body after Tarawih prayers on Saturday (25/6) night before departure to Salatiga, Central Java, for burial on Sunday morning. Goodbye, Opa Tar, hopefully you will get the best place in His side. Amin!
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